Onpassive Metro Station Renamed Garmin Metro Station
If you use the Red Line around Sheikh Zayed Road, get ready for a new name on the departure boards. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has handed the naming rights for Onpassive Metro Station to Garmin, the GPS and wearables brand. The stop will now be known as Garmin Metro Station.
The change is part of RTA's Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative, the same programme that has already renamed several other stops on the network. Here's what's actually changing, when, and what it means if you commute through this station every day.
What the deal covers
Garmin secured a 10 year agreement through AMIT Retail LLC, its sole distributor in the UAE. The agreement was signed by AMIT Retail and Hypermedia, with Mada Media overseeing the process. Mada Media manages Dubai's out of home advertising sector and handles station naming rights deals on RTA's behalf.
Mansoor Al Sabahi, CEO of Mada Media, called it a milestone for the initiative, noting Garmin is the first global brand to land naming rights on a Red Line station specifically. Abdul Mohsen Kalbat, CEO of RTA's Rail Agency, said the deal reflects growing interest from international brands in the programme, and that RTA plans to keep building these private sector partnerships.
Garmin's CEO, Clifton Pemble, said the partnership gives the brand a way to connect its navigation and fitness products with people as they move around the city, and a chance to build on its presence in Dubai.
When the name change actually happens
This isn't an overnight switch. RTA is rolling out the update gradually between September and the end of November 2026. During this window, expect:
- Station signage, both inside and outside, updated in phases
- The Dubai Metro app and other digital passenger information systems switched over
- Onboard train announcements using the new name as trains approach and arrive at the station
Until the rollout finishes, you may still see or hear the old Onpassive name in some places. That's expected. If you're unsure which station you're looking for, RTA staff at any Metro station can point you in the right direction during the transition.
Where this station actually is
For anyone unfamiliar with the stop, this is a Red Line station in the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor, serving the business and retail stretch near Trade Centre and Financial Centre. If you're heading to offices or showrooms in that part of the city, this is your stop, just under a different name going forward.
Part of a wider pattern on the network
Garmin isn't the first brand to put its name on a Dubai Metro station, and it won't be the last. The Naming Rights Initiative has already reshaped a few familiar stops. UAE Exchange Station became Life Pharmacy Station, and Jebel Ali Station was rebranded as National Paints Station. If you've ridden the Metro for a few years, it's worth double checking a station's current name before you plan a route, especially on older maps or third party apps that haven't caught up yet.
What to do if you're planning a trip through this station
If you're new to the Dubai Metro or just want to avoid confusion during the transition, keep a couple of things in mind. Google the current station name before you travel, since some older content and screenshots online will still say Onpassive. And if an app or printed map looks out of date, RTA's own signage and announcements are the most reliable source once the rollout is complete.
For a full rundown of how the Red Line runs end to end, our Red Line guide covers every stop in order, and our stations directory has details on the whole network if you're plotting a journey elsewhere in the city.
Common questions about the Garmin Metro Station rename
Is Onpassive Metro Station closing? No. The station itself isn't closing or moving. Only the name is changing, from Onpassive Metro Station to Garmin Metro Station.
When will the new name be fully in place? RTA is updating signage, digital systems and announcements between September and the end of November 2026.
Which line is Garmin Metro Station on? It's on the Red Line, in the Sheikh Zayed Road corridor near Trade Centre and Financial Centre.
Why is RTA renaming Metro stations? Renaming is part of RTA's Metro Station Naming Rights Initiative, which lets private brands buy long term naming rights to stations. It's a way for RTA to bring in private investment while giving companies visibility across the network.
Will my Nol card or fare change because of the rename? No. Fares and Nol card use aren't affected. Only the station's name and signage are changing.